Category: False Teaching

Litanies of Philosophies #6

Monday, March 3, 2025

“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:…” (1 Corinthians 2:6 KJV).

What wisdom really matters—and what wisdom really does not?

Today’s Scripture is a clarification. The Apostle Paul in no way disparages or discourages all wisdom, for he does “speak wisdom among them that are perfect [spiritually-mature Christians, who alone can appreciate true wisdom—God’s wisdom].” The world in its so-called “wisdom” had no capacity whatsoever, and still has no capability whatsoever, to comprehend just how God kept a secret (“mystery… hidden wisdom”).

Read today’s Scripture within its context: “[6] Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: [8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Had Satan known what precisely was God’s secret, he would have never influenced man (apostate Israel and pagan Rome) to crucify the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ, “the Lord of glory,” is at the center of a plan called “Glory” whereby Father God will glorify Him eternally in both Heaven and Earth. Man, in all his satanic wisdom, still cannot fathom how God will use Christ’s finished crosswork as the plan of salvation to redeem two peoples—Israel (for Earth) and us, the Church the Body of Christ (for Heaven).

“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool [“moros” = moron!], that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness” (1 Corinthians 3:18,19). Saints, far better it is to be temporarily labeled “fools” according to the world’s (flawed) standards—devoid of all their advanced degrees, “clever” explanations, and elaborate arguments—than for God to use His exceeding mightier (perfect) standards to forever prove us fools!

Litanies of Philosophies #5

Sunday, March 2, 2025

“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:…” (1 Corinthians 2:6 KJV).

What wisdom really matters—and what wisdom really does not?

Observe Colossians 2:8: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” To “spoil” is “rob or cheat, lead away as a prisoner”—as in, “spoils of war.” Since the Christian ought to be filled with God’s wisdom, and philosophy (the world’s wisdom) is at variance or incompatible with God’s wisdom, the world’s wisdom will take God’s wisdom away from the Christian. The Christian becomes a slave to non-Christian thoughts and worldviews. Any such Christian filled with the world’s wisdom—and there are multitudes of such individuals—is just as useful to God’s ministry as a lost person is (for the lost person is filled with the world’s wisdom too)! Hence, Colossians issues the warning, “Beware!” Watch out, be vigilant, be careful, be on guard!

If left to himself, man will understand none of the things of God: yet, God did not leave us to ourselves, for He gave us His Bible (see especially 1 Corinthians 2:9-16). Yet, when a man rejects that Bible, he wishes to be left to himself. The Corinthian Christians were trying to live this contradiction—and failing miserably! Read the context of today’s Scripture, Paul’s reminder to bring these erring saints back to think about how their Christian life began (Acts chapter 18, when he first preached to them in Corinth): “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Litanies of Philosophies #4

Saturday, March 1, 2025

“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:…” (1 Corinthians 2:6 KJV).

What wisdom really matters—and what wisdom really does not?

“Philosophy” is derived from two Greek terms, “phileo” (“to love”) and “sophia” (“wisdom”). It is an infatuation with man’s wisdom, people reasoning about life apart from the words and will of the Creator God. Man has a problem, and he knows it. Nevertheless, he seeks to deny it or hide it. If there is any admission of guilt, man will endeavor to solve his own dilemmas and establish his innocence. Genesis 3:1-13 was man’s first quest to seek wisdom separate from God’s wisdom, even cleverly trying to “cover up” his sin when he failed and skillfully shifting the blame to others when God questioned him about his evil!

Whereas Adam’s fault was individual and corporate, the primary error of the wisdom of the world is divulged in Romans chapter 1 (a national and international issue): “[19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. [20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: [21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,….”

Romans chapter 1 looks back to Genesis chapter 11 (the Tower of Babel), when the nations decided to abandon the one true God and pursue idols. He therefore responded by giving them up and over to Romans 1:24-32 (this “present evil world” of Galatians 1:4). The nations still “walk in their own ways,” in “ignorance,” “without God,” “in the vanity of their mind,” with their litanies of philosophies and varieties of idolatries (Acts 14:11-18; Acts 17:16-34; Ephesians 2:11,12; Ephesians 4:17-19). Such is where our world’s educational system is situated! If it not based on the Word of God rightly divided, the worldview is just another futile attempt of man serving as the judge of what thoughts and actions are correct or incorrect….

Litanies of Philosophies #3

Friday, February 28, 2025

“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:…” (1 Corinthians 2:6 KJV).

What wisdom really matters—and what wisdom really does not?

Corinth was approximately a two-day trip west of Athens, the intellectual capital of the ancient world. Philosophers spent much time going to, from, and through Corinth. Here, as a port city, ideas from around the globe were exchanged. The Corinthians, like the rest of the Greeks, held man’s wisdom in high esteem. Imagine, if you will, a statue of a human brain erected there, with worshippers assembled around it to bow and pray. Also known as “free-thinking” and “humanism,” man is his final authority in this system: he believes he is accountable to no one but himself. What he rationalizes will stand and what he does is for his evaluation alone.

Read 1 Corinthians chapter 1: “[17] For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. [18] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. [19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. [20] Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? [21] For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. [22] For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: [23] But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; [24] But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. [25] Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

Let us go back to the original problem pinpointed in Romans chapter 1….

Litanies of Philosophies #2

Thursday, February 27, 2025

“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:…” (1 Corinthians 2:6 KJV).

What wisdom really matters—and what wisdom really does not?

As a trained scientist (geologist, Earth scientist), I can guarantee you the scientific method concentrates solely on the natural world (not the spiritual world). It is a process of first observing an event, then recording what information you have gathered, and finally hypothesizing (speculating how the incident operates). Through subsequent experiments, you increase learning by amassing more data or information, thereby allowing you to modify your hypothesis or reject it entirely and form a new explanation (which can be tested, then accepted or discarded). Of course, contrary to popular belief, this is not a foolproof, airtight, “beyond-all-suspicion” belief system. Scientists rely heavily on their brains, which are imperfect. Long-held views, accepted by most “experts,” might be disproven later and totally abandoned. Science textbooks are regularly updated to reflect this flux!

Do you remember the aforementioned scientist and educator who influenced me in my university days all those years ago? Unquestionably, he tried to understand an evil society and desperately sought to improve it, but human effort is insufficient to comprehend and overcome sin. Philosophy is simply man making full use of his limited intellectual capacity, endeavoring in his own strength to figure out his origin, life, and purpose. Such a quest has been likened unto a blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat that does not exist! It is truly a hopeless, fruitless search.

Paul the Apostle himself, addressing philosophers (“intellectuals”) in Athens, preached in Acts chapter 17: “[26] And [God] hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; [27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: [28] For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” Think of a blind person stretching forth arms and fingers, groping for a wall, door, window—anything to indicate location or orientation.

Such is the wisdom of this world….

Litanies of Philosophies #1

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:…” (1 Corinthians 2:6 KJV).

What wisdom really matters—and what wisdom really does not?

Back in my early university days (over 15 years ago now!), I was exposed to the scientific career of a famous educator. Our professor played an online video of this long-time researcher, and I was simply fascinated with his insight and experiments. Although not working in my discipline (he was biology-oriented whereas I was geology [Earth science]- oriented), he investigated phenomena I grew to find interesting as well. Even after graduating college, I watched a couple dozen of his online videos as he lectured about scientific principles in his field of study. Undoubtedly, he was an educated, brilliant man—in the eyes of the world, that is. He alluded to the Bible just once, albeit it was a misquote (a religious tradition he assumed was Scripture).

After all these years, I recently did an internet search to see if he was still living. Now over age 90, he was very much alive—long retired from professorship, but still giving lectures and active in his research. Less than a week later, I saw his name in a list of notable deaths. It was a bit startling to me, but, then again, he was quite advanced in age. When I located and read his obituary—some 1,300 words, or almost three pages—it went on and on about his childhood, education, career, and retirement. He attended and graduated from prestigious institutions of higher learning, spending decades as a distinguished professor at a private university. In addition to hosting a television series that would be used to train other “intellectuals,” he wrote hundreds of scholarly articles and a few textbooks on the subject. Moreover, he received numerous awards and led organizations of professionals in his field of study. He and his wife (also highly educated) traveled the world for speaking engagements. The obituary closed without a solitary reference to anything “religious” or “spiritual.” Like many, he was indeed filled the wisdom of men, but was he bursting with the wisdom of God? Obviously not.

Let us see how today’s Scripture is applicable today….

“Baalim?” #3

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

“And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:…” (Judges 2:11 KJV).

The Authorized Version features “Baalim” some 18 times, but what is it exactly?

“Ba‘al” is Hebrew for “lord.” This was the supreme god of the Phoenicians and Canaanites, the neighbors of Israel in the Promised Land. “Baal worship” appears throughout the Old Testament (Numbers 22:41; Judges 2:13; Judges 6:25,28,30,31,32; 1 Kings 16:31,32; 1 Kings 18:19,21,22,25,26,40; 1 Kings 19:18; 1 Kings 22:53; 2 Kings 3:2; 2 Kings 10:18-23,26-28; 2 Kings 11:18; 2 Kings 17:16; 2 Kings 21:3; 2 Kings 23:4,5; 2 Chronicles 23:17; Jeremiah 2:8; Jeremiah 7:9; Jeremiah 11:13,17; Jeremiah 12:16; Jeremiah 19:5; Jeremiah 23:13,27; Jeremiah 32:39,35; Hosea 2:8; Hosea 13:1; Zephaniah 1:4; cf. Romans 11:4).

With the addition of the Hebrew plural suffix “–im,” “Baal” becomes “Baalim”—a multiplicity of gods called “Baal.” See Hosea 2:17, “For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.” Observe how “names” is plural. Baal worship takes on many forms, just as Christendom is divided into various denominations. There is a Baal worshipped here, and a Baal worshipped there; depending on the location or role, he assumes assorted names.

For example, “Baalpeor” (Numbers 25:1-5; Deuteronomy 4:3; Psalm 106:28; Hosea 9:10) means “lord of Peor/gap [a mountain east of the Jordan River].” This was a god of the Moabites, also worshipped by the apostate Israelites. Another compound “Baal” name is in 2 Kings chapter 1: “Baalzebub the god of Ekron” (verses 2,3,6,16), defined as “lord of the flies,” was a god of the Philistines. The Jews later applied this appellation to Satan (Matthew 10:25; Matthew 12:24,27; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15,18,19)! A third “Baal” title was “Baalberith” (Judges 8:33; Judges 9:4), which was “lord of the covenant [agreement with his devotees]”—another idol of the Philistines and apostate Israel.

In fact, “Bel” (rhyming with “Baal”) was the Babylonian deity corresponding to that Phoenician, Canaanite, Moabite, and Philistine god (Isaiah 46:1; Jeremiah 50:2; Jeremiah 51:44). Furthermore, King Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson Belshazzar (“Bel protect the king;” Daniel 5:1) and Belteshazzar (“Bel’s prince,” Daniel’s heathen label given in Daniel 1:7) were named to honor this heathen idol. Whatever he was called, Baal worship was nothing but devil worship!

“Baalim?” #2

Monday, February 24, 2025

“And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:…” (Judges 2:11 KJV).

The Authorized Version features “Baalim” some 18 times, but what is it exactly?

“For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them” (2 Chronicles 33:3). “And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them” (2 Chronicles 34:4). “How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;…” (Jeremiah 2:23).

“But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them:…” (Jeremiah 9:14). “And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD” (Hosea 2:13). “For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name” (Hosea 2:17). “As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images” (Hosea 11:2).

Having scanned all references, we now possess a few clues as to the identity of “Baalim.” Read Judges 8:33 again: “…and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith [!] their god.” Judges 10:6 again: “And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods [!] of Syria, and the gods [!] of Zidon, and the gods [!]  of Moab, and the gods [!] of the children of Ammon, and the gods [!] of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.” Hosea 2:17 again: “For I will take away the names [!] of Baalim out of her mouth….”

“Baalim” is connected to widespread idolatry….

“Baalim?” #1

Sunday, February 23, 2025

“And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:…” (Judges 2:11 KJV).

The Authorized Version features “Baalim” some 18 times, but what is it exactly?

Before we consider establishing any definition, we have to read the other pertinent verses. “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves” (Judges 3:7). “And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god” (Judges 8:33). “And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him” (Judges 10:6).

“And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim” (Judges 10:10). “Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only” (1 Samuel 7:4). “And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee” (1 Samuel 12:10). “And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim” (1 Kings 18:18).

“And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;…” (2 Chronicles 17:3). “For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim” (2 Chronicles 24:7). “For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim” (2 Chronicles 28:2).

There are still a few other references to read….

Lessons from the Biblical Apothecary #7

Friday, February 21, 2025

“And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil” (Exodus 30:25 KJV).

Let us learn some lessons from the biblical apothecary….

From the Book of Hebrews, which enlarges upon Jeremiah 31:31-34, we discover the Old Covenant was temporary and will be replaced by the New Covenant (see particularly Hebrews chapters 8–10). Considering that change, Messiah (Jesus Christ) speaks to Father God: “Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:6-8). Hebrews 10:5-9 interprets this as Messiah submitting to Father’s will to sacrifice Himself on Calvary’s cruel cross, the foundation for the New Covenant.

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;…” (Hebrews 10:10-12). This “offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” is described in Ephesians 5:1,2 as: “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

Christ’s finished crosswork on Calvary was “a sweetsmelling savour”—just as pleasant to God’s nostrils as those aromas of the anointing oil and the perfume or incense (the context of today’s Scripture). The stench of the spiritual decay of our sin debt is overwhelmed by the blood sacrifice of the sinless Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, that does not deter works-religionist man from offering his own righteousness, his reeking “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) and stinky “dung” (Philippians 3:8), bragging, “I can be just as good as Jesus!” If nothing else, may the “sweetsmelling savour” of Calvary at least discourage us Christians from resurrecting the buried, rotting old man to boast, “I can live the Christian life!”